National Library to send Mary, Queen of Scots’ Last Letter to Perth
Mary, Queen of Scots’ Last Letter will go on display in Perth Museum next year, giving people a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see the manuscript up close.
At 2am on Wednesday 8 February 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots wrote what is believed to be her last letter, writing to her brother-in-law in France to put her affairs in order. Her execution at Fotheringhay Castle was to take place six hours later.
Several centuries later, Mary remains a key figure of Scotland’s history and culture. Her last letter will go on display as part of ‘OUTWITH: National Library around Scotland’ – a special programme of loans, events and activities taking place at locations around the country to mark the National Library’s centenary.
Mary’s letter is rarely seen outside of storage. While the vast majority of the Library’s collections can be accessed by anyone in the reading rooms, the letter leaves the vaults only in very special circumstances, owing somewhat to its historical and cultural significance, but primarily for conservation reasons.
The letter will be on display at Perth Museum from 23 January until 26 April. The letter will form the centrepiece of an exhibition and events programme bringing Mary’s story and connections to Perthshire to life.
Some 500 metres away at AK Bell Library, other items from the National Library’s collections will be on display to complement the letter in an exhibition entitled ‘The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots’. This display will feature Robert Burns’ poem ‘Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring’ written in Burns’ own hand, and early manuscripts from Liz Lochhead’s iconic play ‘Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off’.
Director of Collections, Access and Research, Alison Stevenson said:
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people to see the Last Letter. The last time it was on public display was back in 2017 for one day only, and there were queues of people forming along George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. We are delighted to partner with Culture Perth and Kinross to bring the letter to Perth Museum, as well as a range of collections and events to AK Bell Library.
“The whole point of the ‘OUTWITH’ programme is to take our collections, our people and our services to parts of Scotland beyond the Central Belt. We were greeted with a warm welcome in Aberdeen in autumn this year – people were genuinely keen to learn more about what their national library could do for them. We hope those living in and around Perth will get as much out of our presence next year.”
Ashleigh Hibbins, Head of Audiences and Learning at Culture Perth and Kinross, said:
“We are so proud to welcome Mary, Queen of Scots’ last letter to Perth Museum, the first time this precious piece of history has travelled north of Edinburgh in the modern era. Perth and Kinross is at the heart of Mary’s story, particularly her imprisonment, abdication, and dramatic escape from Lochleven Castle. Mary’s poignant last words will be displayed within a wider immersive exhibition, directly above the Stone of Destiny and objects from the reigns of her son and grandson, so we really do view this as a homecoming.
“Mary’s story continues to resonate with people, which is why we are also delighted to be able to share a companion display of original material from Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead at AK Bell Library, two equally iconic Scots who were inspired by the doomed queen. It’s an honour that the National Library has entrusted us to display these cherished objects as part of the OUTWITH programme, which will be such a boost for our local communities.”
Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, said:
“Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most well-known figures in Scottish history. Her last letter, penned just hours before her execution, is a priceless record from somebody who lived over 400 years ago and we owe an immense debt of gratitude to all those who have preserved it from her hand to the care of our national library.
“Scotland’s history belongs to all of us so I am delighted that it is going on display in Perth, as part of the library’s centenary celebrations. Due to its age this letter is rarely on display, so I would strongly encourage people across Scotland and beyond to make the most of this opportunity, before it goes back into storage for safekeeping.”
‘The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots’ will be on display from Friday 23 January until Sunday 26 April 2026 at Perth Museum. To find out more about the exhibition and events, please visit Perth Museum's website.
‘The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots’ display will be held at AK Bell Library, Perth from Friday 23 January until Saturday 25 April 2026. Access to both exhibitions is free.
For more information about the loans, events, and activities as part of ‘OUTWITH: National Library around Scotland’, including National Library Live in Perth on Saturday 7 March 2026, visit the National Library’s website.
The National Library of Scotland’s OUTWITH programme has been kindly supported by The Gannochy Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, the NLS Foundation, P F Charitable Trust, Stichting Teuntje Anna (TA Fund), The Ettrick Trust, William Grant Foundation, Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, The Scottish Book Trust and by supporters of the National Library’s Centenary Appeal. The Perth component of OUTWITH was also generously supported by the Evelyn Ferris Mudie Trust and Perth and Kinross Council.
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About Mary, Queen of Scots’ last letter
At 2 am on Wednesday 8 February 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots wrote what is believed to be her last letter. Her execution on the block at Fotheringhay Castle was a mere six hours away. It was written in French and is addressed to Henri III of France, brother of her first husband, Francois (Francis) II, who had died of an ear infection in 1560 at the age of 16.
The letter was in the archives of the Scots College in Paris until the French Revolution, when it passed into the hands of the Chevalier d`Hervilly, and subsequently became the property of Messieurs Feuillet de Conches and B Fillon. Eventually it became part of the celebrated collection of autographs formed by the great 19th-century collector Alfred Morrison.
In 1917 the last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots was bought from Morrison’s widow by 26 subscribers and presented to the Scottish nation through the National Art Collections Fund (now Art Fund) in 1923. It was held by the Advocates Library until 1925, when it was presented to the National Library of Scotland on its foundation.
For more information about Mary, Queen of Scots’ last letter, visit the National Library’s website. To see an English translation of the letter, download this document.
About the National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland is the nation’s living memory – preserving the past, enriching the present, and inspiring current and future generations through access to knowledge, culture, and innovation. We chart the DNA of Scottish society by documenting, preserving and sharing precious collections that capture our past and present. We support education, promote inclusivity, empower informed citizenship, and contribute to the economic and social fabric of the nation. We strive to understand Scotland’s place in the world and to explore connections with our neighbours near and far. We reflect Scotland. Rich, diverse, unfiltered.
About Culture Perth and Kinross
Culture Perth and Kinross is a charitable trust responsible for the delivery and development of the archive, library, museum and galleries, and creative learning in Perth and Kinross.
Culture Perth and Kinross operates Perth Museum, Perth Art Gallery, and libraries across the region. Our vision is to be at the heart of a cultural community that connects people, ideas, knowledge, and collections. Our mission is to develop and deliver a range of sector-leading services, public programmes and partnerships which engage a wide and diverse audience in the best of local, national, and international culture.
More about OUTWITH: National Library around Scotland
The OUTWITH programme kicked off in Aberdeen in September 2025, where an early edition of the first printed book of secular music in Scotland, ‘Songs and Fancies’ went on display in Aberdeen Art Gallery. It can be viewed there until 4 January 2026. The National Library also delivered the first edition of National Library Live in Aberdeen Central Library in November, a key part of the OUTWITH programme where National Library staff bring a pop-up day of talks and activities to a local library outwith the Central Belt.
The next stage of the OUTWITH programme will take place in Shetland from 28 March – 20 June 2026. Shetland Museum and Archives will showcase Library collections in ‘OUTWITH: Valda, MacDiarmid and Whalsay’, a landmark exhibition exploring the lives of Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid and his wife Valda during their time in Whalsay, Shetland in the 1930s. National Library Live will also visit Shetland Library and a range of community venues.